Three smokestacks at Nippon Paper Industries Co.,Ltd.'s Yatsushiro Mill were damaged and a building collapsed in the Kumamoto Earthquake, trapping 11 people and leaving 9 dead. There is currently no outlook for restoration, while inspections of other mills and the development of alternative supply arrangements are under way.
Following the Kumamoto Earthquake, 3 of the 5 smokestacks at Nippon Paper Industries Co.,Ltd.'s Yatsushiro Mill were damaged. The collapsed structure housed offices, trapping a total of 11 people inside. The deaths of 9 people have been confirmed as of the present time, underscoring once again the scale of the damage.
Nippon Paper Industries Co.,Ltd. said it was working to identify the cause of the accident, but would not enter the site and would instead establish a third-party committee to conduct the investigation. Management indicated that it would consider measures to prevent a recurrence and strengthen disaster preparedness, and would also comply with instructions from the relevant authorities.
In response to the shutdown of the Yatsushiro Mill and the expanding damage, Nippon Paper Industries Co.,Ltd. is inspecting its other mills and establishing an alternative supply system that prioritizes shipments from its Iwanuma Mill in Miyagi Prefecture. The company is also considering cooperation with 大王製紙 and 王子ホールディングス to maintain supplies of newsprint.
In light of the earthquake and trouble at its U.S. subsidiary, Nippon Paper Industries Co.,Ltd. has left its earnings forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2027 undecided and said it will disclose the forecast once the outlook for restoration becomes clear. The extent of the impact beyond the Yatsushiro Mill and the risk of a prolonged shutdown also remain issues for consideration.